Assisted multi-user multi-input multi-output (MU-MIMO) communication system

ABSTRACT

Systems, methods, and devices for grouping client devices based on sensor data in an assisted wireless communication system are provided. Sensor data may include device mobility, device type, and device application data usage, among other characteristics. An assisted wireless communication system may include client devices sending data to an access point. The clients may send conventional protocol data over a channel and, concurrently, send sensor data over an alternative channel. In some cases, client devices may exchange their protocol data, modify their own protocol data based on the exchanged data, and send the modified protocol data to the access point. This may allow the clients to adjust their grouping.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to techniques for facilitatingcommunication between multi-user (MU) multiple-input multiple-output(MIMO) devices in a wireless communication system and, moreparticularly, to techniques for improving multi-user multiple-inputmultiple-output (MU-MIMO) performance by managing MU groups.

This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects ofart that may be related to various aspects of the present disclosure,which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed tobe helpful in providing the reader with background information tofacilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the presentdisclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statementsare to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.

Wireless devices in a wireless communication system transmit and receivesignals for a variety of reasons. For example, a number of wirelessdevices in a home or business location may use wireless signals tostream movies and music, send emails and text messages, and communicatewebsite data—often at roughly the same time. The wireless devices mayuse wireless signals to communicate with a wireless access point that isconnected to the Internet or other network. The wireless signals mayoccupy certain portions of an electromagnetic frequency spectrum, butthe available electromagnetic frequency spectrum may be limited.Moreover, as the demand for wireless communication systems continues toexpand, there are increasing challenges to improve spectrum usageefficiency. For example, wireless networks that employ the Wi-Fistandards (i.e., networks that complies with one or more of the IEEE802.11 standards) may use standard available channels (e.g., 2.4 GHz or5.8 GHz), which may limit the available bandwidth and/or the number ofdevices that can connect to the network.

MU-MIMO, an enhanced wireless communication technology, increases theefficiency of a traditional wireless communication system by using anadditional degree of freedom in a space domain via multiple antennas.For example, in a Wi-Fi network, an access point managing the MU-MIMOnetwork may use multiple transmitters and receivers to transfer moredata to multiple clients at the same time, employing beamforming tospatially direct the wireless data transmission. To that end, theprotocol for MU-MIMO networks may include a method to determine radiofrequency (RF) characteristics of the clients (i.e., the RFcharacteristics of the channel established between the access point andthe clients), and to form groups of clients based on similarities in theRF characteristics of the receivers. The clients within a group maybenefit from exchanging data with the access point through a dedicatedbeamformed data link (e.g., channel) based on the RF characteristics ofeach client.

SUMMARY

A summary of certain embodiments disclosed herein is set forth below. Itshould be understood that these aspects are presented merely to providethe reader with a brief summary of these certain embodiments and thatthese aspects are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure.Indeed, this disclosure may encompass a variety of aspects that may notbe set forth below.

Embodiments described herein are related to wireless communicationsystems with an access point configured to concurrently receive protocolpackets containing protocol data and/or complementary packets containingcomplementary data from client devices of the wireless communicationsystem. By way of example, the wireless communication system may allowthe client devices to communicate data over one or more channels of awireless network and may include an access point that receives protocoldata over a channel (e.g., a Wi-Fi channel) and complementary data overan alternative channel (e.g., a wireless direct link). The protocol datamay provide the radiofrequency (RF) characteristics to the access point.The complementary data communicated over the second channel may indicateclient mobility (e.g., static versus dynamic), client device types,and/or application data usage (e.g., high, medium, or low bandwidthusage).

In an embodiment, the access point may group like clients (e.g., clientsthat share client mobility characteristics, client device type,application data usage characteristics) together based on thecomplementary data in addition to protocol data and adjust bandwidthusage to the group. In an embodiment, the clients may exchange protocoldata with each other over an alternative channel. After a clientacquires another client's protocol data with its RF characteristics, itmay modify its own protocol data before replying to the access point.This may allow a client to assist in the formation of groups by theaccess point by allowing the client to override or adjust its membershipto a beamforming group. In yet another embodiment, the access point maycreate a RF map indicating channel usage and RF characteristics ofclients or groups, receive the RF map data on an alternative channel,and then regroup or reevaluate grouping based on the RF map datareceived.

Various refinements of the features noted above may exist in relation tovarious aspects of the present disclosure. Further features may also beincorporated in these various aspects as well. These refinements andadditional features may exist individually or in any combination. Forinstance, various features discussed below in relation to one or more ofthe illustrated embodiments may be incorporated into any of theabove-described aspects of the present disclosure alone or in anycombination. The brief summary presented above is intended only tofamiliarize the reader with certain aspects and contexts of embodimentsof the present disclosure without limitation to the claimed subjectmatter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various aspects of this disclosure may be better understood upon readingthe following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an electronic device that maybenefit from communicating in an assisted MU-MIMO wireless communicationsystem, in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a notebook computer representing anembodiment of the electronic device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of a hand-held device representing anotherembodiment of the electronic device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front view of another hand-held device representing anotherembodiment of the electronic device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a front view of a desktop computer representing anotherembodiment of the electronic device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a front view and side view of a wearable electronic devicerepresenting another embodiment of the electronic device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a front view and side view of a media center devicerepresenting another embodiment of the electronic device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a front view and side view of an electronic access pointrepresenting another embodiment of the electronic device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a front view of a smart speaker with an intelligent homeassistant representing another embodiment of the electronic device ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of multiple clients in a wirelesscommunication system, which may include the electronic device of FIG. 1,in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram representing grouping of multiple clientsbased on complementary data in the wireless communication system of FIG.10, in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 12A is a block diagram of an assisted MU-MIMO wirelesscommunication system with clients communicating conventional protocoldata and complementary sensor data to an access point, in accordancewith an embodiment;

FIG. 12B is a block diagram of an assisted MU-MIMO wirelesscommunication system with clients communicating conventional protocoldata and complementary data to an access point, and communicatingadditional data to other clients, in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 13A is a flow diagram of an assisted MU-MIMO wireless communicationsystem with clients grouped based on complementary data, in accordancewith an embodiment;

FIG. 13B is a flow diagram of an assisted MU-MIMO wireless communicationsystem with clients sending modified protocol data feedback, inaccordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a flow diagram of an assisted MU-MIMO wireless communicationsystem before grouping clients, in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a flow diagram of grouped clients communicating in a MU-MIMOwireless communication system, in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a process flow diagram of updating grouped clients based onchannel sounding intervals in a MU-MIMO wireless communication system,in accordance with an embodiment; and

FIG. 17 is a process flow diagram of clients excluding themselves fromgrouping based on an access point identification, in accordance with anembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

One or more specific embodiments will be described below. In an effortto provide a concise description of these embodiments, not all featuresof an actual implementation are described in the specification. Itshould be appreciated that in the development of any such actualimplementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerousimplementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve thedevelopers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related andbusiness-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation toanother. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a developmenteffort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be aroutine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those ofordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure.

When introducing elements of various embodiments of the presentdisclosure, the articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to mean thatthere are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,”“including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean thatthere may be additional elements other than the listed elements.Additionally, it should be understood that references to “oneembodiment” or “an embodiment” of the present disclosure are notintended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additionalembodiments that also incorporate the recited features.

As discussed above, grouping of clients may allow for effective datatransmission in wireless networks. For example, conventional MU-MIMOarchitecture allows for an access point to communicate with multipleclients simultaneously, by employing targeted data transmission usingbeamforming. To that end, conventional MU-MIMO systems may comply withprotocols that include methods for client devices to provide the RFcharacteristics of the client device to the access point or wirelessrouter. The RF characteristics may include information about thewireless channel established between the access point and the clientdevice, and may be used by the access point to transmit wireless data ina targeted manner, using beamforming. The RF characteristics of a clientmay be related, for example, to the relative location of the client withrespect to the access point, the presence of RF obstacles (e.g., walls,structures, bodies of water, atmospheric perturbation). Using thereceived RF characteristics, the access point may form groups of clientsthat may have similar RF characteristics, and may communicate withclients in a group using a targeted beamformed data link.

The RF characteristics-based grouping described above may, however, leadto certain inefficiencies. Clients that have similar RF characteristicsand, thus, are grouped together in the conventional MU-MIMOarchitecture, may have large discrepancies in their data usage, latencyspecification, bandwidth consumption, etc. As a result of thesediscrepancies, data distribution may be inefficient. Moreover, certaindevices may be mobile, and may, thus change their physical locationfrequently. Such devices may generate additional challenges forconventional MU-MIMO grouping mechanisms, as their presence may lead tofrequent regrouping. To address these challenges, and improve theefficiency of MU-MIMO architectures, systems may use complementaryinformation to improve grouping efficiency.

Complementary information may include sensor data, obtained from sensorsin a device. Sensor data may include, for example, informationassociated to application data usage, relative bandwidth usage amongclients, mobility of device, and/or device type. The complementaryinformation may, in addition to RF channel characteristics provided bythe conventional protocol data, allow an access point to group togetherclients that share, for example, mobility or data usage characteristics.Complementary data may also include shared protocol data among clientsthat can be used for coordination of the grouping process. Suchcoordination may be used, for example, in situations in which the accesspoint is not configured to process sensor data. The information providedby the complementary data may allow the access point or the clientdevices to intelligently form groups of client devices to maximize theuse of antennas and bandwidth.

To improve grouping, as discussed above, embodiments presented hereindescribe client devices and access points that may be used in anassisted MU-MIMO wireless communication system. In the assisted MU-MIMOwireless communication systems described herein, the devices may sendcomplementary data (e.g., complementary packets), such as devicemobility, device type, and/or device data usage data, to the accesspoint, in addition to RF characteristics used in the conventionalMU-MIMO protocols, in a manner that preserves backward compatibility.For example, in certain embodiments, the client may send protocol data(e.g., protocol packets) to the access point on a network channel, andconcurrently, another client may send the complementary data to theaccess point using an alternative channel. In certain embodiments, twoclients may share complementary data between them over the alternativechannel while they communicate with the access point over the networkchannel. The use of the alternative channel for the exchange ofcomplementary data, along with the use of the network channel forexchange of protocol data, may allow electronic devices that comply withconventional MU-MIMO to join the assisted MU-MIMO wireless communicationsystem.

As discussed above, certain embodiments may employ an assisted MU-MIMOwireless communication system that includes a network channel toexchange conventional data and an alternative channel to exchangeadditional data. For example, an assisted MU-MIMO wireless communicationsystem may comply with a Wi-Fi protocol (e.g., an IEEE 802.11 compliantprotocol) as the network channel and may employ, for example, a wirelessdirect link, such as Apple Wireless Direct Link (AWDL), AirDrop, orBluetooth, as the alternative channel. In some embodiments, thealternative channel may be an encrypted communication link transmittedover the network channel (e.g., an encrypted wireless network over aWi-Fi protocol).

Furthermore, due to the backward compatibility of certain embodimentsdescribed herein, the assisted MU-MIMO wireless communication systemsmay include some electronic devices that are configured to access boththe network channel and the alternative channel, and other electronicdevices that are configured to access the network channel but are notconfigured to access the alternative channel. In the descriptions usedherein, first party devices refer to devices (e.g., access points,clients) that are configured to access both the network channel and thealternative channel, while third-party devices refer to devices (e.g.,access points, clients) that are not configured to access thealternative channel. The configuration to access the alternative channelmay be related to encryption (e.g., secure network), authenticatedaccess (e.g., encrypted network), or proprietary information associatedwith the electronic device (e.g., a proprietary wireless protocol).

Further enhancements in the assisted MU-MIMO wireless communicationsystem include the ability of first party clients to share protocol datato each other, via the alternative channel. The sharing of protocol datamay allow first party clients to coordinate and generate modifiedprotocol data to be returned to an access point. As a result,first-party clients may effectively manage groupings, and ensure thatthey are in a single group or ensure that they are not in a singlegroup. The first party clients may share their protocol data with eachother on an alternative channel (e.g., wireless direct link)concurrently with another first party or third-party client sending itsprotocol data to the access point using another channel (e.g., Wi-Fichannel).

As discussed in greater detail below, some of the techniques for clientdevices communicating their sensor data to the access point and theirprotocol data to other first party clients occur simultaneously. Sinceconventional MU-MIMO wireless communication system allows for multipleclients to communicate protocol data to the access point (e.g., RFcharacteristics of device) on a channel, first party clients maysimultaneously transmit sensor data on an alternative channel, such as awireless direct link between the clients and the access point,preserving backwards compatibility and not adding any additional latencyto the grouping process.

With the foregoing in mind, a general description of suitable electronicdevices that may communicate in an assisted MU-MIMO wirelesscommunication system will be provided below. Turning first to FIG. 1, anelectronic device 10 according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure may include, among other things, one or more processor(s) 12,memory 14, nonvolatile storage 16, a display 18, input structures 22, aninput/output (I/O) interface 24, a network interface 26, and a powersource 28. The various functional blocks shown in FIG. 1 may includehardware elements (including circuitry), software elements (includingcomputer code stored on a computer-readable medium) or a combination ofboth hardware and software elements. It should be noted that FIG. 1 ismerely one example of a particular implementation and is intended toillustrate the types of components that may be present in electronicdevice 10.

By way of example, the electronic device 10 may represent a blockdiagram of the notebook computer depicted in FIG. 2, the handheld devicedepicted in FIG. 3, the handheld device depicted in FIG. 4, the desktopcomputer depicted in FIG. 5, the wearable electronic device depicted inFIG. 6, the media center device in FIG. 7, the electronic access pointin FIG. 8, the intelligent home assistant in FIG. 9, or similar devices.It should be noted that the processor(s) 12 and other related items inFIG. 1 may be generally referred to herein as “data processingcircuitry.” Such data processing circuitry may be embodied wholly or inpart as software, firmware, hardware, or any combination thereof.Furthermore, the data processing circuitry may be a single containedprocessing module or may be incorporated wholly or partially within anyof the other elements within the electronic device 10.

In the electronic device 10 of FIG. 1, the processor(s) 12 may beoperably coupled with the memory 14 and the nonvolatile storage 16 toperform various algorithms. Such programs or instructions executed bythe processor(s) 12 may be stored in any suitable article of manufacturethat includes one or more tangible, computer-readable media at leastcollectively storing the instructions or routines, such as the memory 14and the nonvolatile storage 16. The memory 14 and the nonvolatilestorage 16 may include any suitable articles of manufacture for storingdata and executable instructions, such as random-access memory,read-only memory, rewritable flash memory, hard drives, and opticaldiscs. In addition, programs (e.g., an operating system) encoded on sucha computer program product may also include instructions that may beexecuted by the processor(s) 12 to enable the electronic device 10 toprovide various functionalities.

The input structures 22 of the electronic device 10 may enable a user tointeract with the electronic device 10 (e.g., pressing a button toincrease or decrease a volume level). The I/O interface 24 may enableelectronic device 10 to interface with various other electronic devices,as may the network interface 26.

The network interface 26 may include, for example, one or moreinterfaces for a personal area network (PAN), such as a Bluetoothnetwork, for a local area network (LAN) or wireless local area network(WLAN), such as an 802.11x Wi-Fi network, and/or for a wide area network(WAN), such as a 3rd generation (3G) cellular network, 4th generation(4G) cellular network, long term evolution (LTE) cellular network, longterm evolution license assisted access (LTE-LAA) cellular network, orwireless direct link, such as Apple Wireless Direct Link (AWDL) orAirDrop. The network interface 26 may also include one or moreinterfaces for, for example, broadband fixed wireless access networks(WiMAX), mobile broadband Wireless networks (mobile WiMAX), asynchronousdigital subscriber lines (e.g., ADSL, VDSL), digital videobroadcasting-terrestrial (DVB-T) and its extension DVB Handheld (DVB-H),ultra-Wideband (UWB), alternating current (AC) power lines, and soforth. Network interface 26, such as the one described above, may allowaccess to the MU-MIMO wireless communication systems described herein.As further illustrated, the electronic device 10 may include a powersource 28. The power source 28 may include any suitable source of power,such as a rechargeable lithium polymer (Li-poly) battery and/or analternating current (AC) power converter.

In certain embodiments, the electronic device 10 may take the form of acomputer, a portable electronic device, a wearable electronic device, orother type of electronic device. Such computers may include computersthat are generally portable (such as laptop, notebook, and tabletcomputers) as well as computers that are generally used in one place(such as conventional desktop computers, workstations, and/or servers).In certain embodiments, the electronic device 10 in the form of acomputer may be a model of a MacBook®, MacBook® Pro, MacBook Air®,iMac®, Mac® mini, or Mac Pro® available from Apple Inc. By way ofexample, the electronic device 10, taking the form of a notebookcomputer 10A, is illustrated in FIG. 2. The depicted computer 10A mayinclude a housing or enclosure 36, a display 18, input structures 22,and ports of an I/O interface 24. In one embodiment, the inputstructures 22 (such as a keyboard and/or touchpad) may be used tointeract with the computer 10A, such as to start, control, or operate aGUI or applications running on computer 10A. For example, a keyboardand/or touchpad may allow a user to navigate a user interface orapplication interface displayed on display 18.

FIG. 3 depicts a front view of a handheld device 10B, which representsone embodiment of the electronic device 10. The handheld device 10B mayrepresent, for example, a portable phone, a media player, a personaldata organizer, a handheld game platform, or any combination of suchdevices. By way of example, the handheld device 10B may be a model of aniPod® or iPhone® available from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. Thehandheld device 10B may include an enclosure 36 to protect interiorcomponents from physical damage and to shield them from electromagneticinterference. The enclosure 36 may surround the display 18. The I/Ointerfaces 24 may open through the enclosure 36 and may include, forexample, an I/O port for a hardwired connection for charging and/orcontent manipulation using a standard connector and protocol, such asthe Lightning connector provided by Apple Inc., a universal service bus(USB), or other similar connector and protocol.

User input structures 22, in combination with the display 18, may allowa user to control the handheld device 10B. For example, the inputstructures 22 may activate or deactivate the handheld device 10B,navigate user interface to a home screen, a user-configurableapplication screen, and/or activate a voice-recognition feature of thehandheld device 10B. Other input structures 22 may provide volumecontrol or may toggle between vibrate and ring modes. The inputstructures 22 may also include a microphone may obtain a user's voicefor various voice-related features, and a speaker may enable audioplayback and/or certain phone capabilities. The input structures 22 mayalso include a headphone input may provide a connection to externalspeakers and/or headphones. The I/O interfaces 24 of the handheld device10B may include a physical interface to charge the handheld device 10Bor communicate data to or from the handheld device 10B.

FIG. 4 depicts a front view of another handheld device 10C, whichrepresents another embodiment of the electronic device 10. The handhelddevice 10C may represent, for example, a tablet computer, or one ofvarious portable computing devices. By way of example, the handhelddevice 10C may be a tablet-sized embodiment of the electronic device 10,which may be, for example, a model of an iPad® available from Apple Inc.of Cupertino, Calif. The handheld device 10C may also include anenclosure 36 that holds the electronic display 18. Input structures 22may include, for example, a hardware or virtual home button. The I/Ointerfaces 24 of the handheld device 10C may include a physicalinterface to charge the handheld device 10C or communicate data to orfrom the handheld device 10C.

Turning to FIG. 5, a computer 10D may represent another embodiment ofthe electronic device 10 of FIG. 1. The computer 10D may be anycomputer, such as a desktop computer, a server, or a notebook computer,but may also be a standalone media player or video gaming machine. Byway of example, the computer 10D may be an iMac®, a MacBook®, or othersimilar device by Apple Inc. It should be noted that the computer 10Dmay also represent a personal computer (PC) by another manufacturer. Asimilar enclosure 36 may be provided to protect and enclose internalcomponents of the computer 10D such as the display 18. In certainembodiments, a user of the computer 10D may interact with the computer10D using various peripheral input devices, such as the keyboard 22A ormouse 22B (e.g., input structures 22), which may connect to the computer10D.

Similarly, FIG. 6 depicts a wearable electronic device 10E representinganother embodiment of the electronic device 10 of FIG. 1 that may beconfigured to operate using the techniques described herein. By way ofexample, the wearable electronic device 10E, which may include awristband 43, may be an Apple Watch® by Apple, Inc. More generally, thewearable electronic device 10E may be any wearable electronic devicesuch as, for example, a wearable exercise monitoring device (e.g.,pedometer, accelerometer, heart rate monitor), or other device byanother manufacturer. The display 18 of the wearable electronic device10E may include a touch screen display 18 (e.g., LCD, OLED display,active-matrix organic light emitting diode (AMOLED) display, and soforth), as well as input structures 22, which may allow users tointeract with a user interface of the wearable electronic device 10E.

FIG. 7 depicts a front view and a side view of a media center device10F, which represents one embodiment of the electronic device 10. By wayof example, the media center device 10F may be a model of an Apple TV 4Kavailable from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif., or any other mediacenter device with wireless capabilities. The media center device 10Fmay include an enclosure 36 to protect interior components from physicaldamage and to shield them from electromagnetic interference. A similarenclosure 36 may be provided to protect and enclose internal componentsof the media center device 10F. The network interface 26 of the mediacenter device 10F may allow the device to connect to a network via oneor more interfaces (e.g., 802.11x Wi-Fi network, Bluetooth, and/orwireless direct link to first party devices). The I/O interfaces 24 mayopen through the enclosure 36 and may include, for example, an I/O portfor a hardwired connection to a network, an HDMI port, audio port, orother similar audio and video connector and protocol.

User input structures 22 may allow a user to control the media centerdevice 10F. For example, the input structures 22 may activate ordeactivate the media center device 10F, navigate user interface to ahome screen, a user-configurable application screen, navigate betweennetwork or streaming channels, navigate between viewing modes (e.g., 4KStandard Dynamic Range (SDR), 4K High Dynamic Range, (HDR), etc.),provide volume control, and/or activate a voice-recognition feature ofthe media center device 10F.

Turning to FIG. 8, an electronic access point 10G may represent anotherembodiment of the electronic device 10 of FIG. 1. The access point 10Gmay be any access point that allows a wireless device to connect to awired network. The access point 10G may be connected to a router (via awired network) as a standalone device, or it may also be an integralcomponent of the router itself. The access point 10G may transmit atboth the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency at the same time, allowing for bestavailable frequency band for connecting with a device or multipledevices. The access point 10G may have a beamforming antenna array,allowing for the access point 10G to determine RF characteristics of adevice and target signal to the device located. By way of example, theaccess point 10G may be an AirPort Extreme device by Apple Inc. ofCupertino, Calif.

A network interface 26 in the access point 10G may allow network clientdevices to connect to the access point 10G via one or more interfaces(e.g., 802.11x Wi-Fi network, Bluetooth, and/or wireless direct link tofirst party devices). An enclosure 36 may be provided to protect andenclose internal components of the access point 10G. The access point10G may include an enclosure 36 to protect interior components fromphysical damage and to shield them from electromagnetic interference.The I/O interfaces 24 may open through the enclosure 36 and may include,for example, an I/O port for a hardwired connection to a network.Additionally, user input structures 22 may allow a user to control theaccess point 10G. For example, the input structures 22 may activate ordeactivate the access point 10G, configure frequency bands, channels, orband availabilities, connect to a network, and/or connect devices to thenetwork. The nonvolatile storage 16 may include storing configurations(e.g., network name and passwords, activated or deactivated frequencyband capabilities, etc.).

FIG. 9 depicts a front view of an intelligent home assistant 10H, whichrepresents one embodiment of the electronic device 10. The intelligenthome assistant 10H may represent, for example, a speaker device withhome assistant and wireless capabilities. The intelligent home assistant10H may also include soundwave beamforming capabilities as detailedbelow. The soundwave beamforming may allow for the microphone of theintelligent home assistant 10H to detect an audio source and targetaudio capture, allowing the microphone to be heard over simultaneousaudio transmitted from the intelligent home assistant 10H. The soundwavebeamforming may further allow the intelligent home assistant 10H todirect sound beamed into the middle of the room while ambient sound isdiffused into right and left channels and bounce off the wall. The homeassistance integrated in the intelligent home assistant 10H may allow auser ask the assistant to play music, answer questions, set reminders,make hands off phone calls, control smart home accessories, etc. By wayof example, the intelligent home assistant 10H may be a model of anApple HomePod with integrated home assistance model of Apple Sirisoftware available from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.

The network interface 26 of the intelligent home assistant 10H may allowthe device to connect to a network via one or more interfaces (e.g.,802.11x Wi-Fi network, Bluetooth, and/or wireless direct link to firstparty devices). The intelligent home assistant 10H may include anenclosure 36 to protect internal components from physical damage and toshield them from electromagnetic interference. The I/O interfaces 24 mayopen through the intelligent home assistant 10H and may include, forexample, an I/O port for a hardwired connection to a network.Additionally, user input structures 22 may allow a user to control theintelligent home assistant 10H. For example, the input structures 22 mayinclude a microphone that may obtain a user's voice for variousvoice-related features, and a speaker may enable audio playback and/orcertain intelligent home assistant 10H capabilities.

Electronic devices 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E, 10F, 10G and 10H describedabove may all be employed in an assisted MU-MIMO wireless communicationsystem. As mentioned above, it may be desirable for clients that arelocated in the same area, share mobility, share device type, and/or usesimilar application data usage (e.g., bandwidth), to be grouped togetherwithin the MU-MIMO wireless communication system. Indeed, in a wirelesscommunication scenario with varying device mobility, device type, anddevice application data usage that would benefit from a directedcommunication with like clients, grouping clients based on complementarydata beyond currently provided protocol data (e.g., RF characteristics)may be a useful.

While a first party or third party client may communicate protocol datato the access point on a channel, a first party client may transmitsensor data to the first party access point and/or share protocol datawith a first party client on an alternative channel. The channel used tocommunicate protocol data may be a Wi-Fi channel. The alternativechannel used by the first party clients to communicate sensor data tothe access point or protocol data to first party clients, may be awireless direct link. The wireless direct link may use a client'sBluetooth for discovery of other first party clients and then createWi-Fi connection for transmitting and receiving data between the firstparty clients. Additionally or alternatively, the same data that isdescribed below as being sent via the alternative channel may be sentvia the Wi-Fi channel, but may be inaccessible (e.g., encrypted orotherwise unintelligible) to third-party devices.

Diagram 100 in FIG. 10 illustrates a wireless communication system withclients (e.g., client A 152, client B 154, client C 156, client D 158,client E 160, and client F 162) that may benefit from grouping. In thisexample, there are multiple clients, client A 152, client B 154, clientC 156, client D 158, client E 160, and client F 162, on different floorsof a building. In the example, client A 152, client B 154, and client C156 are disposed of in the first floor 164 (floor 1), client D 158 isdisposed of in the second floor 166 (floor 2), client E 160 and client F162 are disposed of in the third floor 168 (floor 3), and they are allconnected to an access point 150 (e.g., electronic access point 10G ofFIG. 8) on the first floor 164 (floor 1). Thus, clients 152, 154, 156,158, 160, or 162 may each be in different relative locations ordistances from the access point 150. Additionally, clients 152, 154,156, 158, 160, or 162 may have different mobility type (e.g., dynamicversus static), device type, and/or application data usage, resulting indifferent sensor data.

As illustrated, client A 152, client D 158 and client F 162 are allportable phones, such as the hand-held device of FIG. 3. These clients152, 158, 162 are of the same device type and they are each dynamic(e.g., not stationary). Client B 154 is a notebook computer, such as thenotebook computer of FIG. 2, and it is also dynamic since a user maywalk around or move the notebook without great effort. Client C 156 is atelevision that may be coupled to a media device, such as the mediacenter of FIG. 7, and Client E 160 is a desktop computer, such as thedesktop computer of FIG. 5. Although client C 156 and client E 160 aredifferent devices, they may be both stationary. Thus, in an assistedMU-MIMO wireless communication system, similar clients may be groupedbased on their sensor data in addition to conventional protocol datathat indicates beamforming instructions based on RF characteristics of aclient.

To illustrate, diagram 200 of FIG. 11 depicts the clients of FIG. 10grouped based on the sensor data provided to the access point in anassisted MU-MIMO wireless communication system. As shown, multipleclients are in the same wireless network and communicating with theaccess point 150, which may be hardwired to a router. Client A 152,client D 158, and client F 162 are grouped together in a first group202. The grouping feature of the assisted MU-MIMO wireless communicationsystem may allow the access point 150 to group together client A 152,client D 158, and client F 162 since they are all portable phones, andthus, have the same device type and same mobility. The access point 150may group client C 156, a media center device, and client E 160, adesktop computer, together in a third group 206, since both clientsremain stationary, and thus, share similar sensor data (e.g., mobility).As shown, the access point may choose to group client B 154, a notebookcomputer, in its own individual group, a second group 204 since it doesnot share device type with the other clients 152, 156-162 in thewireless communication system. However, as previously mentioned, aclient may be grouped with like clients based on various similar sensordata that may include mobility, device type, and/or application datausage, in addition to conventional protocol data that indicates RFcharacteristics of a client. Thus, since client B 154 is mobile, theaccess point may group client B 154 in the first group 202 with themobile portable phones, clients A 152, client D 158, and client F 162.Thus, grouping clients (e.g., 152, 154, 156, 158, 160, 162, 164) basedon sensor data, rather than limiting to conventional protocol data,allows clients that may be at varying relative distances to be groupedtogether. As such, grouping based on the sensor data allows foroptimized MU-MIMO spectral efficiency between the access point andgrouped clients since the access point is no longer trying tocommunicate with all clients regardless of their sensor data. Althoughsome of the following descriptions describe sensor data related tomobility, device type, and/or application data usage which represent aparticular embodiment, it should be noted that the methods and systemsmay be performed and implemented using any sensory information.

The grouping decision in an assisted MU-MIMO wireless communicationsystem relies on channel sounding packets (e.g., channel soundingframes), as illustrated in block diagram 250 of FIG. 12 A. Thearchitecture of the MU-MIMO wireless communication network includesclients sending protocol data (e.g., matrix that helps determinelocation beamforming instructions for transmission to a client) to theaccess point 150. Considering sensor data may allow the access point 150to make a more efficient grouping decision as described above.

As previously mentioned, MU-MIMO uses network beamforming, which isenabled by the support of “sounding.” Sounding denotes the processperformed by the transmitter (e.g., access point 150) sending outsounding frames, which may be beamformed, and the receiver (e.g., client152) responding with a protocol data packet, which may be a compressedchannel matrix of the received sounding frames. The protocol data packetmay indicate how well it “heard” the signal from the antenna and mayprovide the information related to the RF characteristics of thewireless channel between the client receiver and the access pointtransmitter. Specifically, the access point 150 may use this matrix toacquire channel state information (CSI) from each of the differentclients, indicating the position of the client relative to the accesspoint 150. The CSI is effectively a collection of the spatial transferfunctions between each antenna and each client terminal, containing ameasure of the channel. Since a conventional MU-MIMO communicationsystem utilizes multiple antennas, the access point 150 may control thephased antenna pattern to control both the areas where signal strengthis the strongest and where it is the weakest to form a beamformedwireless data link. Gathering information via the antennas and therelative positions of each associated client allows the access point tocreate a phased pattern to talk to multiple clients independently and/orsimultaneously.

As shown, access point 150 and three clients (client A 152, client B154, and client C 156) are communicating in an assisted MU-MIMO wirelesscommunication network. In a conventional MU-MIMO wireless communicationnetwork, the access point 150 may initiate a sounding sequence bytransmitting a Null Data Packet Announcement (NDPA), asking clients 152,154, and 156, for feedback. The clients review the Null Data Packet(NDP) packets (e.g., channel sounding frames), such as the frequency ofthe announcement, and send a compressed version of the packets (e.g.,compressed beamforming (CBF)) back to the access point 150. The accesspoint 150 may then use the feedback as the basis for determining phasedantenna pattern of the signal at each antenna and other channeltransmission information. In addition to the receiving protocol dataover a channel as in the conventional architecture for MU-MIMO, thefirst party access point 150 in assisted MU-MIMO wireless communicationsystem may receive sensor data feedback simultaneously from first partyclients on an alternative channel, which may allow the access point 150to make smarter grouping decisions.

As depicted, the assisted MU-MIMO process 250 starts off with the accesspoint 150 sending an NDPA 288 followed by an NDP packet frame to clients152, 154, and 156 in a first time frame 270. The NDPA identifies a queuethat orders which client 152, 154, 156 will be the first to respond. Asdepicted, the first client in queue, client A 152, will be the first tosend 258 protocol data to the access point 150 in the second time frame252. In the same time frame and on an alternative channel, client B maysend 260 sensor data, such as mobility, device type, and/or applicationdata usage to the access point 150. As shown, both clients 152, 154 areindependently communicating with the access point 150 on differentchannels. In the third time frame 254, the second client in the queue,client B 154, sends 262 protocol data to the access point 150 on achannel while client C 156 sends 264 sensor data to the access point 150on an alternative channel. In the fourth time frame 256, client C 156,last in queue, sends 268 protocol data to the access point 150 on achannel while client A 152 sends 266 sensor data to the access point 150on an alternative channel.

Providing the first party access point 150 with protocol data and sensordata concurrently in the manner described above, allows the access point150 to make quick and efficient grouping decisions without adding delaysand/or increasing latency. Thus, if a client 152, 154, 156 is determinedto be grouped separately based on the sensor data provided to the accesspoint 150, then the access point 150 may choose to exclude the client inits grouped network receiving a specific bandwidth.

Block diagram 300 of FIG. 12B illustrates first party clients 152, 154,156 in an assisted MU-MIMO wireless communication system that maycommunicate protocol data to first party clients and send a co-firstparty client's protocol data to the access point 150 (e.g., first partyor third-party) as its own protocol data. Please note, the descriptionof this embodiment may occur in conjunction to a first party accesspoint 150 and first party clients 152, 154, 156 sharing sensor data overan alternative channel as described above in FIG. 12A.

As shown, in a first time frame 301, access point 150 may send an NDPA288 followed by an NDP packet frame to clients 152, 154, and 156. TheNDPA 288 identifies a queue that orders which client 152, 154, 156 willbe the first to respond. As depicted, the first client in queue, clientA 152, will be the first to send 308 protocol data to the access point150 in the second time frame 302. In the second time frame but on analternative channel, first party client B 154 (e.g., Apple iPad) maysend 310 co-first party client C 156 (e.g., Apple iPhone) its additionalprotocol data, and client C 156 may also send 312 its additionalprotocol data to first party clients (e.g., client B 154).

Since the client B 154 and the client C 156 are both first party clientsand have communicated their protocol data to each other via analternative channel, client B 154 and client C 156 may choose to begrouped together. In the third time frame 304, client B 154 is next inqueue to share protocol data to the access point 150. However, sinceclient B 154 has exchanged protocol data with client C 156, client B 152may modify the protocol data sent to the access point using the protocoldata from client C protocol data as basis. In some embodiments, client Bmay send the protocol data from client C as its modified protocol datato the access point 150. At the same time frame, client A and client Bmay both be first party clients, and may exchange protocol data.

Similarly, in a fourth time frame 306, client C 156 may send modifiedprotocol data 324 that is based on the information previously receivedby client A 152 and client B 154. In the same time frame, first partyclient A 152 and client B 154 may exchange protocol data. Thus, whenfirst party clients 152, 154, 156 communicate their protocol data toeach other, any one of the first party clients 152, 154, 156 may use thelearned protocol data to send as modified protocol data to the accesspoint 150. Effectively, this allows first party clients 152, 154, 156that may want to be grouped together to prevent the access point 150from either not grouping the first party clients 152, 154, 156 orgrouping them differently than if the grouping decision was limited tosensor data or the client's actual protocol data.

To summarize the processes of grouping based on sensor data, flowdiagram FIG. 13 A illustrates the process 350 of an assisted MU-MIMOwireless communication system with a first party access point 150receiving sensor data from first party clients. The access point 150requests (block 352) protocol data feedback from clients. As previouslymentioned, the access point 150 broadcasts an NDPA followed by NDPpackets to have all clients set in a queue, and ready to send protocoldata feedback. The clients respond (block 354) with the requestedprotocol feedback. The requested feedback provides the access point 150with the clients' RF characteristics based on signal strength betweenthe compressed NDP packets transmitted from the clients back to theaccess point 150. The clients may also send (block 356) sensor datafeedback, such as mobility type (e.g., dynamic versus static), devicetype, and/or application data usage (e.g., high RSSI versus medium RSSIversus low RSSI). Based on the protocol data and/or sensor datareceived, the access point 150 creates (block 358) groups of clients. Asdiscussed above, blocks 354 and 356 may be performed concurrently.

For grouping based on additional protocol data knowledge, flow diagramFIG. 13B illustrates the process 400 of an assisted MU-MIMO wirelesscommunication system with first party clients sharing each other'sprotocol data to coordinate protocol data sent to the first party orthird-party access point 150. As illustrated, the access point 150requests (block 402) client protocol data. As mentioned above, theaccess point 150 sends out an NDPA followed by NDP packets to have allclients set in a queue, ready to send protocol data feedback. While aclient may transmit its protocol data on a channel to the access point150, the first party clients may communicate (block 404) their protocoldata with each other on an alternative channel (e.g., Apple WirelessDirect Link). In this manner, a first party client may obtain theprotocol data of its first party clients. All the first party clientsmay coordinate their grouping rather than allowing the access point 150to use its algorithms to determine grouping. Thus, when the next firstparty client sends (block 406) its protocol data to the access point150, the protocol data may be modified to coordinate the grouping. Inthis manner, first party clients in a network may independently chooseto be grouped together by giving the access point 150 the same protocoldata. Additionally, by sharing their co-first party client's protocoldata to the access point 150, first party clients may make themselvesunavailable for grouping with others that the access point 150 may havegrouped them with based on sensor data or protocol data. Such a scenariomay arise when there is a privacy concern. For example, clients may notwant to send their information to an unknown access point 150 (e.g., anaccess point that the client has not communicated with in the past) whenthe access point 150 may send its information to a cloud instance. Thus,the first party clients may take themselves out of the grouping featureof the assisted MU-MIMO wireless communication system by the describedprocess 400.

Flow diagram FIG. 14 illustrates the process 450 of clients (e.g., 152,154, 156) communicating with an access point 150 that may be a firstparty or a third-party device before grouping. As shown, an access point150 may send (block 454) an NDPA, broadcasting a channel-sounding frame.The first party clients 152, 154, 156 in the network may check (decisionblock 456) if the sounding frame was broadcasted from a first partyaccess point 150. If the first party clients 152, 154, 156 determinethat the sounding frame came from a third-party access point 150, thenclients 152, 154, and 156 may continue (block 458) to function in aconventional MU-MIMO operation by sending conventional protocol data.

However, if the first party clients 152, 154, 156 determine that theaccess point 150 is also a first party device, then clients 152, 154,and 156 may process (block 460) the NDP packets. Processing the packetsmay determine the number of stations in the Multi-User (MU) channelsounding and the order of clients 152, 154, 156 for sending sensor databy the alternative channel. Since clients 152, 154, and 156 and accesspoint 150 are first party devices, the access point 150 may receivesensor data from a first party client (e.g., 152) while simultaneouslyreceiving protocol data from another client (e.g., 154), and additionalprotocol data may be communicated between the available first partyclients (e.g., 156), as previously described in FIG. 13A and FIG. 13B.

The access point 150 may send (block 462) an NDP signal to the firstclient in queue, as determined by the access point 150 when the NDPA wassent. This signal communicates to the client 152 to be ready to sendcompressed packets feedback, relaying channel state information by thespatial transfer functions between the access point 150 antenna andclient 152 terminal, indicating RF characteristics of client 152 to theaccess point 150. Once the first client 152 receives the NDP signal, thefirst client 152 may calculate (block 464) the compressed packets basedon the NDP packets received and sends it to the access point 150.

Based on the compressed packets received by its antennas, the accesspoint 150 may determine the RF characteristics of the client 152 basedon signal strength when the packet is received. Since the devices inthis embodiment are first party devices, while the first client may sendprotocol data on a channel, a second first party client 154simultaneously may send (block 466) sensor data to the first partyaccess point 150 on an alternative channel.

After receiving the protocol data from the first client 152 and sensordata from a second first party client 154 in the same time frame, theaccess point 150 may send (block 504) a beamformer report poll (BF Poll)frame to signal to the second client 154, next in queue to send protocoldata, to be ready to send compressed packets feedback. After receivingthe BF Poll frame, the second client 154 in queue may calculate (block506) the compressed packets based on the NDP packets received, and sendit to the access point 150. Based on the compressed packets received byits antennas, the access point 150 may determine the RF characteristicsof the second client 154 based on signal strength when the packet isreceived. While the second client 154 may send protocol data on achannel, a third first party client 156 may simultaneously send (block508) sensor data to the access point 150 on an alternative channel.

The access point 150 may continue sending BF Poll signals to the nextclient 156 in queue to receive protocol data on a channel, while anotherfirst party client 152 may send sensor data simultaneously on analternative channel. Accordingly, if the third client 156 is the lastclient, the access point 150 may send (block 510) the last BF Pollsignal to the last client to be ready to send compressed packetsfeedback. After receiving the BF Poll frame, the last client 156 inqueue may calculate (block 554) the compressed packets based on the NDPpackets received, and send it to the access point 150. Based on thecompressed packets received by its antennas, the access point 150 maydetermine the RF characteristics of the third client 156 based on signalstrength when the packets are received.

While the third client 156 may send protocol data on a channel, thefirst client 152 simultaneously may send (block 556) sensor data to theaccess point 150 on an alternative channel. The first client 152 mayhave been notified 558 that it is next in queue to send sensor databased on the last BF Poll signal. After receiving protocol data andsensor data from the multiple clients 152, 154, 156 within the assistedMU-MIMO wireless communicate system, the first party access point 150may intelligently form (block 560) MU-groups and sets interval channelsounding.

The data received from clients 152, 154, 156 simultaneously overmultiple channels may include the compressed packets feedback 562 fromclients 152, 154, and 156, sensor data feedback such as, device typedata 564, application data usage 566 (e.g., high RSSI versus medium RSSIversus low RSSI, indicating priority of device information), andmobility data 568 (e.g., dynamic versus static). The access point 150may also reevaluate grouping (decision block 570) after an intervalchannel sounding based. The reevaluation may take place based on changesin the data received that may be associated with a less-than-optimal MUgain. The data change may indicate changes in the RF characteristics ofclients contained in the compressed packets feedback 562, RFcharacteristics of a device type 564, application data usage 566 ofclients, and/or mobility 568 of clients. The access point 150 maycalculate optimized gain and thus, the access point 150 may keep currentgrouping (block 572). On the other hand, if the access point 150calculates less-than-optimal MU gain utilized, then the access point 150may reevaluate grouping and start the evaluation process over again.

Flow diagram FIG. 15 illustrates the process 500 of first party accesspoint 150 grouping first party clients (e.g., 152, 154, 156) andcreating a radio frequency (RF) map based on the grouping. The RF mapmay indicate clients 152, 154, 156 in the network, grouping, andfrequency usage. This information from the RF map may allow for betterplanning and allocation of channel usage and grouping. As shown, anaccess point 150 may send (block 622) an NDPA, broadcasting achannel-sounding frame. The first party clients 152, 154, 156 in thenetwork may check (decision block 624) if the sounding frame wasbroadcasted from a first party access point 150. If the first partyclients 152, 154, 156 determine that the sounding frame came from athird-party access point 150, then clients 152, 154, and 156 maycontinue (block 626) to function in a conventional MU-MIMO operation bysending protocol data.

However, if the first party clients 152, 154, 156 determine that theaccess point 150 is also a first party device, then clients 152, 154,and 156 may process (block 628) some or all of the NDP packets.Processing the packets may determine the number of stations in theMulti-User (MU) channel sounding and the order of clients 152, 154, 156sending sensor data by the alternative channel. Since clients 152, 154,and 156, and access point 150 may be first party devices, the accesspoint 150 may receive sensor data from a first party client 154 whilesimultaneously receiving protocol data from another client 152, andadditional data may be communicated between the first party clients 156,as previously described in FIG. 13B.

The access point 150 may send (block 630) an NDP signal to the firstclient 152 in queue, as determined by the access point 150 when the NDPAwas sent. This signal may communicate to the client 152 to be ready tosend compressed packets feedback, relaying channel state information(CSI) by the spatial transfer functions between the access point 150antenna and client 152 terminal, indicating RF characteristics of client152 to the access point 150. Once the first client 152 receives the NDPsignal, the first client 152 may calculate (process block 632) thecompressed packets based on the NDP packets received, and send it to theaccess point 150. Based on the compressed packets received by itsantennas, the access point 150 may determine the RF characteristics ofthe client 152 based on signal strength when the packet is received.Since the devices in this embodiment are first party devices, while thefirst client 152 may send protocol data on a channel, a second firstparty client 154 may simultaneously send (block 634) sensor data and RFmap data to the first party access point 150 on an alternative channel.

After receiving the protocol data from the first client 152 and sensordata from a second first party client 154 in the same time frame, theaccess point 150 may send (block 636) a beamformer report poll (BF Poll)frame to signal to the second client 154, next in queue to send protocoldata, to be ready to send compressed packets feedback. After receivingthe BF Poll frame, the second client in queue may calculate (processblock 638) the compressed packets based on the NDP packets received, andsend it to the access point 150. Based on the compressed packetsreceived by its antennas, the access point 150 may determine the RFcharacteristics of the second client 154 based on signal strength whenthe packets are received. While the second client 154 may send protocoldata on a channel, a third first party client 156 may simultaneouslysend (block 640) sensor data and RF map data to the access point 150 onan alternative channel.

The access point 150 may continue sending BF Poll signals to the nextclient 156 in queue to receive protocol data on a channel, while anotherfirst party client 152 may send sensor data simultaneously on analternative channel. Accordingly, if the third client 156 is the lastclient 156, the access point 150 may send (block 642) the last BF Pollsignal to the last client 156 to be ready to send compressed packetsfeedback. After receiving the BF Poll frame, the last client 156 inqueue may calculate (block 602) the compressed packets based on the NDPpackets received, and send it to the access point 150. Based on thecompressed packets received by its antennas, the access point 150 maydetermine the RF characteristics of the third client 156 based on signalstrength when the packets are received.

While the third client 156 may send protocol data on a channel, thefirst client 152 may simultaneously send (block 604) sensor data and RFmap data to the access point 150 on an alternative channel. The RF mapmay indicate channel usage and RF characteristics, which may assist theaccess point 150 when grouping and/or reevaluating grouping. The firstclient 152 may have been notified 606 that it is next in queue to sendsensor data based on the last BF Poll signal. After receiving protocoldata and sensor data from the multiple clients 152, 154, 156 within theassisted MU-MIMO wireless communicate system, the first party accesspoint 150 may intelligently form (block 608) MU-groups and sets intervalchannel sounding.

The data received from clients 152, 154, 156 simultaneously overmultiple channels may include the compressed packets feedback 610 fromclients 152, 154, and 156, sensor data feedback such as, device typedata 611, application data usage 612 (e.g., high RSSI versus medium RSSIversus low RSSI, indicating priority of device information), mobilitydata 614 (e.g., dynamic versus static), and MU-group RF map data 616.However, the access point 150 may choose to reevaluate (decision block618) grouping based, for example, on a data change, such asless-than-optimal MU gain. The data change may indicate a change incompressed packets feedback 562 from clients, RF characteristics of adevice type 564, application data usage 566 of clients, and/or mobility568 of clients. The access point 150 may calculate optimized gain andthus, the access point 150 may choose to keep current grouping (block620). On the other hand, if the access point 150 calculatesless-than-optimal MU gain utilized, then the access point 150 mayreevaluate grouping and start the evaluation process over again.

The access point 150 may create and update groups in the process 650, asillustrated in FIG. 16. The access point 150 may form (block 700) anMU-group for a set of clients based on various data received, aspreviously discussed. After forming an MU-group, the access point 150may send channel-sounding packets at periodic intervals. The intervalsmay, in block 702, be pre-set or determined via an algorithm of a designsoftware used to configure the access point 150. The interval time mayvary depending the basis of the grouping, such as if the grouping isbased on all the same device type (e.g., 4K TVs) and/or application datausage (e.g., high RSSI), etc.

After the access point 150 sends out the channel sounding packets, theaccess point may update (block 704) the channel sounding packet intervalfrequency to an interval frequency greater or smaller than the previousinterval. The access point may, in block 706, determine a new frequencyinterval based on various data that is received for all MU-groups at alltimes. The data used to determine the new interval may relate to asubstantial change in at least one client (e.g., 152) in the group 708,a substantial change in the RF data 710 (e.g., RSSI or SNR) of at leastone client 152 of the group, an RF map snapshot 712, and the currentvalue for interval time 714. The threshold to determine a substantialchange in this data may include a pre-determined threshold via analgorithm of design software to configure the access point 150. In thismanner, when there is a substantial change in one client 152 or clientsof the group, the access point 150 may update channel sounding packetintervals to the appropriate interval. The access point 150 mayadditionally consider this information when reevaluating grouping.

As previously mentioned, first party clients may choose to group orotherwise coordinate themselves with other first party clients. On theother hand, first party clients may also choose to exclude themselvesfrom an unknown wireless access point 150 in an assisted MU-MIMOwireless communication. The process 750 of first party clients analyzingthe access point 150 identification (ID) and co-first party client IDsin the network, and choosing to exclude themselves, is illustrated inFIG. 17. The access point 150 may form (block 754) groups of clientsbased on the various data, such as based on channel sounding packets(e.g., indicating RF characteristics of clients). Once the clients havebeen grouped, the first party clients in the network may check (decisionblock 756) if the channel sounding frame was broadcasted from a knownaccess point 150. The access point 150 may be a known access point if aclient of the group has connected to the access point 150 in the past.For example, a mobile phone may connect to a network at home using anaccess point 150. The mobile phone may then travel out of channel rangefor the access point 150 and lose connection. However, the mobile phonemay automatically reconnect with the same access point 150 uponreentering the channel range. The access point 150 in the describedscenario may be a known access point 150 since the mobile phone hadconnected with the same access point 150 in the past.

If the first party clients determine that the channel sounding framecame from an unknown access point 150, then the clients may continue(block 758) to function in a conventional MU-MIMO operation by sendingprotocol data over a channel by sending their own protocol data ormodified protocol data, as described in FIG. 12B. However, if the firstparty clients determine that the access point 150 is a known accesspoint 150, then the first party clients may identify (block 760) othergrouped clients using the access point's 150 NDP packets. As previouslymentioned, the sounding and feedback protocol starts with the accesspoint 150 sending an NDPA frame followed by the NDP, which tells theclient its position in the queue to send protocol data to the accesspoint 150. The clients may use this NDP data to determine groupedclients from the queue. The clients and/or group may receive a uniqueidentification (ID) from the access point 150. The group ID (GID) mayinclude, but is not limited to, a unique string of characters, a name,or number (1-100) to identify the group. While identifying the groupedclients, the clients consider any changes in the first party clientgroup ID 762 or first party clients that may leave the group 764, or goout of range. Thus, by actively analyzing which clients share a group ID762 or if a client goes out of the group 764, the first party clients inthe assisted MU-MIMO wireless communication system identify (block 766)which other clients, if any, are in the group ID.

The specific embodiments described above have been shown by way ofexample, and it should be understood that these embodiments may besusceptible to various modifications and alternative forms. It should befurther understood that the claims are not intended to be limited to theparticular forms disclosed, but rather to cover all modifications,equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope ofthis disclosure.

The techniques presented and claimed herein are referenced and appliedto material objects and concrete examples of a practical nature thatdemonstrably improve the present technical field and, as such, are notabstract, intangible or purely theoretical. Further, if any claimsappended to the end of this specification contain one or more elementsdesignated as “means for [perform]ing [a function] . . . ” or “step for[perform]ing [a function] . . . ,” it is intended that such elements areto be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f). However, for any claimscontaining elements designated in any other manner, it is intended thatsuch elements are not to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f).

The invention claimed is:
 1. An electronic device comprising: a networkinterface; a processor communicatively coupled to the network interface;and a memory comprising computer-readable instructions to form a set ofgroups of a wireless communication system, wherein the computer-readableinstructions cause the electronic device to: send, using the networkinterface, a sounding frame via a channel of the wireless communicationsystem to a first client of the wireless communication system; receive,using the network interface, protocol data via the channel from thefirst client, wherein the protocol data is based at least in part on thesounding frame; receive, using the network interface, complementary datavia a wireless direct link from the first client, wherein thecomplementary data comprises a mobility characteristic of the firstclient, application data usage of the first client, a device type of thefirst client, or any combination thereof; form, in the processor, afirst group of the set of groups based on the protocol data and thecomplementary data, wherein the first group comprises the first clientand the first group is associated with a first beamformed data link; andadjust, in the processor, bandwidth usage to the first group based onthe protocol data and the complementary data.
 2. The electronic deviceof claim 1, wherein the protocol data is configured to indicate RFcharacteristics of the first client with respect to the electronicdevice.
 3. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the complementarydata comprises application data usage of the first client.
 4. Theelectronic device of claim 1, wherein the computer-readable instructionscause the electronic device to receive second protocol data from asecond client, and wherein the complementary data from the first clientand the second protocol data from the second client are receivedconcurrently.
 5. The electronic device of claim 4, wherein the firstclient comprises a first party device, wherein the second clientcomprises a third party device, wherein the first party device isconfigured to access the channel, the wireless direct link, or acombination thereof, and wherein the third party device is configured toaccess the channel.
 6. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein thechannel comprises an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers(IEEE) 802.11 compliant channel or a Wi-Fi channel.
 7. The electronicdevice of claim 1, wherein the wireless direct link comprises an APPLEWIRELESS DIRECT LINK (AWDL), a BLUETOOTH link, or an AIRDROP link, orany combination thereof.
 8. The electronic device of claim 1, whereinthe electronic device comprises a router or an access point.
 9. A methodto form a set of groups of a network, comprising: broadcasting, from anaccess point of the network, sounding packets to a plurality of clientdevices of the network via a channel of the network; receiving, in theaccess point, a respective protocol packet from each respective clientdevice of the plurality of client devices via the channel of thenetwork, wherein each respective protocol packet is sent by therespective client device in response to a respective sounding packetreceived by the respective client device, wherein a first portion of theplurality of client devices comprises one or more first party deviceswhile a second portion of the plurality of client devices comprises oneor more third party devices; receiving, in the access point via awireless direct link of the network, complementary packets from each ofthe one or more first party devices, wherein the complementary packetscomprise a mobility characteristic of each of the one or more firstparty devices, application data usage of each of the one or more firstparty devices, a type of each of the one or more first party devices, orany combination thereof; and grouping, via the access point, theplurality of client devices into the set of groups by placing eachclient device of the plurality of client devices into a respective groupof the set of groups based at least on received protocol packet andreceived complementary packet, wherein each respective group isassociated with a respective beamformed data link, wherein the one ormore first party devices are configured to access the wireless directlink, the channel, or a combination thereof, and wherein the one or morethird party devices are configured to access the channel.
 10. The methodof claim 9, wherein the respective sounding packet is configured toobtain RF characteristics of the respective client device, wherein theRF characteristics comprise data indicative of a respective wirelesschannel connection established between the access point and therespective client device.
 11. The method of claim 9, comprising:receiving, via the access point, a first respective protocol packet froma first client device of the one or more first party devices in a firstgroup; and placing, via the access point, a second client device of theone or more first party devices in a second group distinct from thefirst group, wherein the first client device provides the firstrespective protocol packet to the second client device via the wirelessdirect link of the network.
 12. The method of claim 9, wherein thechannel comprises an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers(IEEE) 802.11 compliant channel or a Wi-Fi channel, and wherein thewireless direct link comprises a APPLE WIRELESS DIRECT LINK (AWDL), aBLUETOOTH link, or an AIRDROP link, or any combination thereof.
 13. Themethod of claim 9, wherein grouping the plurality of client devices intothe set of groups comprises creating, via the access point, a radiofrequency map configured to indicate grouping and channel usage of eachclient device of the plurality of client devices.
 14. A non-transient,computer readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed bya processor of an electronic device cause the processor to: receive,using a network interface coupled to the processor, a sounding framefrom an access point of a wireless communication system, wherein thesounding frame is received via a channel of the wireless communicationsystem; send, using the network interface, a protocol data packet to theaccess point via the channel, wherein the protocol data packet is basedon the sounding frame; and send, using the network interface, acomplementary data packet to the access point via a wireless direct linkof the wireless communication system, wherein the complementary datapacket comprises sensor data indicating mobility of the electronicdevice, application data usage of the electronic device, electronicdevice type, or any combination thereof, wherein the access point formsa group based on the protocol data packet and the complementary datapacket, wherein the group comprises the electronic device, and whereinthe access point adjusts bandwidth usage to the group based on theprotocol data packet and the complementary data packet.
 15. The computerreadable medium of claim 14, wherein sending the complementary datapacket to the access point comprises verifying that the access pointcomprises a first party access point based at least in part on thesounding frame.
 16. The computer readable medium of claim 14, whereinthe sensor data comprises the electronic device type.
 17. The computerreadable medium of claim 14, wherein the instructions are configured tocause the processor to verify that the access point comprises a knownaccess point.
 18. The computer readable medium of claim 14, whereinsending the protocol data packet via the channel and sending thecomplementary data packet via the wireless direct link are concurrent.19. The computer readable medium of claim 14, wherein the instructionsare configured to cause the electronic device to send a second protocoldata packet to a second electronic device of the wireless communicationsystem.
 20. The method of claim 11, comprising: receiving, via theaccess point, the first respective protocol packet from the secondclient device; and updating, via the access point, the first group tocomprise the first client device and the second client device inresponse to receiving the first respective protocol packet from thesecond client device.